Purdue win would finally ease Hall's pain

October 21, 2006|AL LESAR Tribune Staff Writer

Though he's started 25 games in his college football career, one especially painful memory haunts Purdue linebacker George Hall. Today, he finally has a chance to put that pain to rest, once and for all. It was midseason 2004 and Purdue was on a roll. The fifth-ranked Boilermakers carried a 5-0 record into a home game against Wisconsin, and owned a 17-7 lead with eight minutes to play. Then, the roof caved in. -Purdue's defense had a chance to ice the game, but Kyle Smith dropped what should have been an interception. The Badgers went on to score and close the gap to 17-14. -Quarterback Kyle Orton had the Boilers driving, with a chance for a first down near midfield, but fumbled. The loose ball was returned 40 yards for a Wisconsin TD. -After the extra point was blocked, Purdue still had a chance. With time running out, Ben Jones could have sent the game to overtime with a 42-yard field goal, but he missed. "It was a tough one to take," said Hall, a 6-foot-2, 243-pound fifth-year senior who had an interception and seven tackles in that game. "That was one of the games that could have put us on top of college football. But everything happens for a reason. "That was probably the worst game I've had to deal with because of the way it ended. Everybody remembers that game." Hall's career at Purdue has mirrored the fortunes of the Boilermakers -- up and down. He has had 208 career tackles, 10 1/2 for lost yardage. He struggled to maintain a positive attitude through last year's frustration, then started this season behind everyone else after knee surgery during preseason camp. That cost him starts in Purdue's first five games. "My health isn't even an issue now," Hall said. "That's all behind me. I'm at full strength. "Last year, we had so many off-field problems. That's all gone now. We all get along. You can tell with the team chemistry and discipline we have." To emphasize the new feeling of camaraderie, the Boilers are wearing PART wristbands: Positive Attitude Responsibility Togetherness Hall has certainly done his part to keep the Purdue defense focused. Even though he's missed two games completely and parts of three others, he still ranks sixth on the team with 31 tackles. He led the Boilers with 11 tackles in last week's win at Northwestern. "George had his best game of the year Saturday," Purdue coach Joe Tiller said. "He ran better than he'd been running. He did a good job of keying. He was into it mentally. Maybe he is now, finally, totally recovered from the surgery." That health will get a test today when the Badgers, led by quarterback John Stocco -- who was at the helm two years ago -- provide the challenge. They also have freshman running back P.J. Hill, a load at 5-11, 242 pounds, and Joe Thomas, generally regarded as the best offensive tackle in the country. "(Hill) has a little bit of size to him, so he's gonna test our manhood," Hall said. "We're ready to see what he has. He's gonna come into our house. They're a good team, but I think we're improving, so we're not worried about it." For pain relief, a win would work better than an aspirin.